RUGBY Union get a great chance to double their success in Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade this Saturday when they play a Centennials Bulls team starved of cricket.
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Rugby will be buzzing for the George Park 1 clash after a big round one win to start their title defence and are expecting a similar side to take to the field this weekend.
Captain Sam Macpherson said the mood around the Rugby camp is upbeat following their opening round success against St Pat’s Old Boys in the grand final rematch.
“One of our main goals this year was to get a good start before Christmas so we don’t put as much pressure on ourselves as we did last season,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a good game last week. We knew we had the team to win but we didn’t think we’d win it by six wickets and keep a team like Pat’s to just 160.
“This week we’ll have a strong lineup – not the greatest we’ve ever had – but there’s going to be a lot of first grade experience in there.”
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Macpherson and his team are interested to get a lot at a Bulls side who have undergone their share of player shuffles in the off-season.
“They’re a bit of an unknown quantity. They’ve got a few new recruits from Lithgow and there’s a few Central West Wranglers players too,” he said.
“You never really know who’s going to turn up on the day. We’re expecting a tough contest regardless.
“I feel like they’ll be pretty attacking with the bat and with the ball they’ve got Chris Redding who’ll likely open for them. He got a five-fer against us last season so he’ll be one to watch.
“Their batting is the hardest thing to contain though because there’s a few big hitters there.”
Redding may have done damage with the ball in last season’s only game between the clubs but Rugby did even more.
Collectively they rolled the Bulls for 56 on the back of four wicket hauls from Luke Powell and Ryan Peacock.
This will be the first game at George Park for both clubs since the 2016-17 season.
Rugby will be especially hungry to win considering they have the bye to come in round three.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
